Prepayment electric meter.



No; 667,070. Patented Jan. 29; ml.

F. P. COX.

PREPAYMENT ELECTRIC METER.

(Application filed Oct. 12, 1399.; (N o M o d e l 2 sh m-sum l.

\Nitnesse's. Inventor I FrTanK p CO ditty.

THE Nonms Pfl'ERs 90.. Pucfauma. WASHXNOTON, D c.

Patented Ian. 29..l90|.

F, P. COX. PREPAYMENT ELECTRIC METER.

(Application filed Oct. 12, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

J Fig.5.

Inventor Frank PCQX.

Q Q v Vffrffl/Q Witnesses.

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NITED STATES ATENT FFicE.

FRANK P. COX, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE GENERAL ELECTRICCOMPANY, OF NEW YORK.

PREPAYMENT ELECTRIC METER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 667,070, dated January29, 1901.

Application filed 0cm er 1 2, 1 8 9 9.

To all whom, it m/tty concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK P. COX, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lynn, in the county of Essex, State of Massachusetts, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Prepayment ElectricMeters, (Case No. 1,244,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric meters of that kind which govern theamount of electric energy admitted to supplied premises according to thevalue of toll paid by the consumer. This type of meter is commonlycalled a prepayment-meter.

The object of the invention is to simplify and cheapen the constructionof such devices.

In carrying out my invention I make use of the principle of electrolyticdecomposition by interposingin the path of the supplied current, or of acurrent in definite relation thereto, a body of electrolyte which underthe principle referred to is chemically decomposed in direct proportionto the volume of energy consumed by the metered translating devices. Asthe liquid is decomposed its level is altered, and when a definitepredetermined difference of level is attained I cause a circuitbreakerto be operated to disconnect the translating devices from the mains ofthe supply-circuit.

My invention comprises,in connection with such an organization, generalmeans for restoring the relation of the controlling device of thecircuit-breaker to thelevel of the electrolyte, so as to put theapparatus again in its initial condition after a coin of determinatevalue or other representative of value, such as a token, has been paidto the machine, thereby permitting the supply of current to be continuedagain until the value of the payment in energy has been consumed by thetranslating devices, when the change of level of the electrolyte willagain out out the translating devices. I employ a specific means ofrestoring the level of the electrolyte which I have found to beefiective in practice. This consists, broadly speaking, of means foradding fresh portions of liquid or electrolyte to the cell to compensatefor that Serial No. '73 3,341. (No model.)

disintegrated or decomposed by the action of the current. This iswithdrawn from a reservoir, which may be filled from time to time,

and is so arranged that the handle or other 3 is a detail sectional viewon a plane indicated by the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detailsectional view on a plane indicated by the line 4 4, and Fig. 5 is adiagram showing the relation of the governing and consumption circuitsto the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a cast-metal casing containingthe operative parts of a prepayment-meter constructed in accordance withmy invention. It will be unnecessary to describe its construction indetail, as it may be widely varied in practice, and its particulararrangement forms no essential feature of the invention. Within thecasing, on a suitable support, is mounted an electrolytic cell 2,provided with a long tubular stem or neck 3 and an enlarged mouth at thetop. Within the cell is mounted a pair of platinum electrodes in theform of plates to offer a good path for the current passing to thetranslating devices on the consumers premises. The cell may beconveniently formed of glass and theelectrodes firmly supported inposition by braces of platinum fused into the glass and leading-in wires4 4, fused into the bottom. An auxiliary electrode 5 is supported in aparallel tube 3 in open communication with the lower part of cell 2 andat a point near the level of the constricted neck and is provided with aconductive terminal on the outside of the bulb. The relation of theseparts will be understood from an inspection of Fig. 5, where it will beseen that the electrodes 4 and 45 are in circuit with the translatingdevices. The apparatus may be calibrated by providing a number ofequidistant divisions, provided the neck is tubular, extending from thelevel of the lowest point of the electrode 5 vertically along the tube.In the upper part of the apparatus is supported a reservoir 6 ofacidnlated water or a saline solution which may be supplied from time totime through a tube '7, extending to the outside of the casing andprovided with a screw-cap, as indicated in Fig. 1, and an overflow-pipe8, by which any excessover the desired level will be withdrawn from theapparatus. In the reservoir b is pivoted a bucket 9, mounted on the endof the lever 10, by which a fresh supply of electrolyte maybe added tothe tube 3 when a coin or token has been deposited in the apparatus. Theoperation of this device is effected by a handle 11, controlling atubular shaft 12, socketed within which and movable with relation towhich is a shaft 13, to which is secured the lever 10, which controlsthe feed-bucket 9. The shafts 12 and 13 are provided with cooperatingslots, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, one side only of the tubular shaftbeing slotted. The slot may, however, extend entirely through the solidshaft 13, as seen in Fig. 3.

The apparatus shown in the drawings is designed to be controlled by atwenty-fivecent piece and permits the coin to drop through the innershaft when the two shafts are brought into such relation that the slotsaline, as indicated in Fig. 3. The tubular shaft is controlled by acoil-spring let, one end of which is fastened to a fixed portion of theframe and the other end to a set-screw 15, lagged into the tubularshaft. The inner end of the tubular shaft is notched or slotted topermit a detent 16, carried on the end of a lever pivoted to the tankand controlled bya float 17 to drop into engagement and lock theapparatus out of operation when the level of the liquid in the reservoiris too low to permit the full supply to the tube. A leafspring 18,fastened to the end of the tubular shaft, bears upon the inner shaft 13at a point a short distance from a notch 19, where the slots aline, thefunction of which will presently be described. The bucket 9 is providedwith a stud or pin 20, which comes in contact with a fixed stop 21 whena coin has been deposited and the handle turned, thus tipping the bucketand emptying its contents into the tube 3; but during this range ofmovement the coin, which looks together the tubular shaft 12 and thesolid shaft 13, has been shifted through an angle of one hundred andeighty degrees, bringing the coin into alinement with a duct 22, leadinginto a cash-box 23. At this moment the bucket has been brought intoengagement with the stop 21 and is tilted thereby, arresting themovement of the shaft 13. The parts are so arranged that in thisposition there is no, or but little, disposition of thebucket-controlling shaft 13 to return to its original position. \Vhcn,therefore, the handle is released, the tension of the spring takes upthe free motion between the end of the leaf-spring 18 and the wall ofthe 'notch 19, thus releasing the coin and permitting it to drop intothe cash-box. The tension of the spring then returns all the parts,including the bucket, to normal position, and a fresh charge ofelectrolyte cannot be made until the deposit of another coin or token.

I provide a recess 24 in the shaft-support adjacent to the slot 22,leading to the cashbox. This prevents the return of the coin to itsoriginal position in case its fall into the cash-box should beobstructed. The advantage of this is obvious, as otherwise the return ofthe coin to its original position would permit a second charge ofelectrolyte to be admitted to the tube, for which the company would haveno equivalent.

Admission to the cash -box maybe controlled by a thumb-screw retained bya padlock passed through a hole 25 in a stem or pin passing through thedoor 26.

27 is a circuit making and breaking electromagnet, and 28 a blow-outmagnet for extinguishing the are formed at the contacts during therupture of the circuit of the translating devices.

The operation of the electric portion of the apparatus will be clearlyunderstood from an inspection of Fig. 5, from which it will be seen thatstarting from the main l3 current enters the apparatn s at the elect-rode 4, passes through the electrolyte and out at electrode 4, thencethrough the blow-out magnet 28 and by the contacts 29 29 to thetranslating devices and back to main A. The action of the circuitbreakeris controlled by a derived circuit from electrode 4-, through theelectrolyte to electrode 5, through the coils on electromagnet 27 tomain A. It will be seen that the integrity of this circuit is determinedby the position of the electrolyte in the tube So long as any liquidstands above the level of the lower tip of the electrode 5 theelectromagnet 27 will be energized and the circuit through the contacts2!) 29 will be completed. The translating devices will therefore be in aposition to draw current. When, however, the value of the coin in energyhas been exhausted, the decomposition of the electrolyte lowers itslevel to the zeropoint on the scale, opening it at the tip of 5, therebydemagnetizing the circuit-breaker, permitting the contacts 29 29 toopen, the spark or are being simultaneously extinguished by the actionof the blow-out magnet 28. The consumers translating devices musttherefore remain out of action until another payment has been made tothe machine and an addition to the supply of electrolyte permits theelectrode 5 to be covered, thereby energizing the magnet 27 and againclosing the circuit.

In order to reduce the sparking at terminal 5 to a minimum, as Well asto cut down the waste of current, the electromagnets 27 are wound to ahigh resistance, and, if desired, additional resistance may be insertedin the branch. I find the best results are attained when the electrode 5is out of the path of the gas-bubbles resulting from electrolysis,whicl1cause disturbance of level in tube 3. I therefore employ the lateraltube 3 in open communication with the bulb of the cell, as shown in thedrawings.

What I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is

l. A prepayment-meter comprising a body of electrolyte, electrodestherefor in circuit with the consumers translating devices, whereby thelevel of the electrolyte is altered proportionally to the energyconsumed, a circuit-breaker actuated at a determinate level of theelectrolyte, and toll-controlled mechanism for restoring the relation'ofthe electrolyte and the circuit-breaker after a definite period ofoperation.

2. A prepayment electric meter comprising an electrolyte in theconsumption-circuit, a circuit-controller for interrupting the circuitwhen a determinate quantity has been electrolyzed, and a toll-controlleddevice for replenishing the electrolyte.

3. A prepayment electric meter comprising an electrolyte in theconsumption-circuit, an electrode at a definite level therein, acircuitbreaker for the consumption-circuit, controlled by saidelectrode, and a toll-controlled device for raising the level.

4. A prepayment electric meter comprising an electrolytic cellcontaining electrodes in circuit with the translating devices, a branchcircuit including an auxiliary electrode ona higher level,acircuit-breaker in said branch circuit, and a toll-controlled devicefor raising the level of the liquid.

5. A prepayment electric meter comprising an electrolytic cell having anopen tubular neck, the electrolyzing-electrodes being in circuit withthe consumers translating devices, an auxiliary electrode at a definitelevel in the cell included in a branch circuit controlling acircuit-breaker, a reservoir, and toll-controlled devices forreplenishing the electrolyte when consu med by decomposition.

6. A prepayment electric meter comprising an electrolytic cell havingelectrodes in circuit with the consumers translating devicestollcontrolled devices for starting the meter and an auxiliary electrodein a branch circuit controlling a circuit-breaker, said electrode beingout of the path of escaping gas-bubbles.

7. A prepayment electric meter comprising an electrolytic cell having atubular neck open to the atmosphere, the electrolyzing-electrodes beingin circuit with the consumers translating devices, an auxiliaryelectrode in a branch circuit supported in a lateral tube connected withthe cell out of the path of escaping gases, a circuit-breaker controlledby said electrode, and toll-controlled devices for replenishing theelectrolyte.

8. A prepayment electric meter-comprising an electrolytic cell incircuit with the consumers translating devices, an auxiliary electrodeat a determinate level therein in a branch circuit, a circuit-breakercontrolled thereby, a blow-out magnet in said circuit, andtoll-controlled devices for replenishing the decomposed electrolyte.

9. Aprepayment electric meter comprising a tubular electrolytic cell incircuit with the consumers translating devices, means for opening thecircuit at a predetermined level, a supply-opening in the cell, asupply-reservoir, and a toll-controlled device for transferring adefinite charge of electrolyte from the reservoir to the cell.

10. A prepayment electric meter comprising an electrolytic cell incircuit with the consumers translating devices, means for opening thecircuit at a predetermined level, a supply-reservoir, a bucket forrecharging the cell, and a toll-controlled handle for operating thebucket.

11. A prepayment electric meter comprising an electrolytic cell incircuit with the consumers translating devices, means for opening thecircuit at a predetermined level, tollcontrolled devices fortransferring a definite charge of electrolyte from the reservoir to thecell, and supply and overflow pipes for the reservoir.

12. A prepayment electric meter comprising an electrolytic cell incircuit with the consumers translating devices, means for opening thecircuit at a predetermined level, tollcontrolled devices fortransferring a definite charge of electrolyte from the reservoir to thecell, and means for looking out the toll devices when the level of thereservoir is too low to furnish a charge.

13. A prepayment mechanism for a vending-machine, comprising a tubularshaft governed by a handle outside of the inclosure containing saidmechanism, a secondary shaft within the said tubularshaft, a coin-slotcommon to both, a coin-duct above the shafts, a cash-box below the same,and means for looking the shafts against backward rotation until thecoin is dropped into the box.

14. A prepayment mechanism for a vending-machine, comprising a tubularshaft governed by a handle outside of the inclosure containing themechanism, a secondary shaft within the tubular shaft, a coin-slotcommon to both, a coin-duct above the shafts, a cashbox below the same,and a stop to engage the coin and prevent the return of the shaft aftera definite range of movement until the coin drops therefrom.

15. Prepayment mechanism for vendingmachines, comprising a tubular shaftgov- I In witness whereof I have hereunto set my erned by a handleoutside, a secondary shaft within the latter, a coin-slot common toboth, a coin-duct above the shafts, a cash-box be- 1 low the same, and aslip connection between! Witnesses: the shafts to permit relativemovement by ALEX. F. MACDONALD, lost motion in one direction to releasethe coin. l

hand this 10th day of October, 1899.

FRANK P. COX.

DUGALD MCKILLOP.

